Optimising Urban Energy Dynamics: A Multifactorial Approach to Building Energy Use and Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation in Urban Blocks

Urban block morphology and function are key factors affecting building energy use (BEU) and solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation (PVPG). This study investigates the synergistic effect of block morphology and function on BEU and PVPG, which employs a k-means clustering algorithm and architectural typology to categorise 150 urban blocks in Wuhan, China, and proposes a workflow for evaluating BEU, PVPG, and load balancing on a block scale. The findings revealed that office blocks consume 1.5 times more energy annually than residential blocks, while commercial blocks consume 3.2 times more. The block with the highest PVPG was a multi-storey slab commercial street, which was 4.2 times higher than the high-rise pavilion A office block. The study also found that multi-storey slab and courtyard residential blocks could achieve a balance between BEU and PVPG with over 100% Photovoltaic substitution rate, whereas the high-rise pavilion A office block had only 14.63%. This paper contributes a scalable model for assessing urban energy dynamics considering block morphology and function over time. The technical framework and findings can contribute to sustainable urban development and help make buildings carbon neutral.